The factory workers are an essential supply chain of the world manufacturing industry, playing their critical role in the production of goods in o many sectors.
While they get paid well, their salary will differ from country to country and industry to further field and job. This article will do an overview of the salaries factory workers receive all over the world and address other questions that can come to mind.
Global Variations in Factory Worker Salaries
Factory worker wages vary significantly from one part of the world to the next. The average annual salary for factory workers is $16.69/hour in the US, ranging from $27,061–41,501.
By contrast, wages in those other countries like China, where the labor market is looser, are much lower. The average factory worker makes ≈ CNY 58,650 each year (~CNY 28/hour) in China.
Factory Worker wages are comparatively high in Europe. Like in Germany where they report wages in points (not direct currency values) but in any case, points in Germany seem generally more pricey than in most other places.
UX Factory Workers Yearly Salary–Between AUD 55k to AUD 65k in Australia, subject to Industry & Place.
Factors Influencing Factory Worker Salaries
Several factors contribute to the variation in factory worker salaries:
- Economic Factors: The state of the economy of the country has a very important impact on wages. It is common for countries with strong economies to provide higher salaries to keep up with the cost of living.
- Industry and Sector: Wages may vary in manufacturing based on the complexity of work, skill sets required, and the demand for labor.
- Settlement pattern: Wages in urban areas are generally a bit higher than in rural areas due to their different cost of living and economic opportunities.
- Education and Skills: Factory jobs do not usually require a college degree, but jobs for skilled workers often pay more.
- Labor Laws and Regulations: Differences in minimum wage laws and labor protections by country influence the minimum salaries that factories workers earn
Factory Workers Make in the cities of United States
Below is a table showing the average hourly wages for factory workers in various cities across the United States as of February 24, 2025.
The data is based on general trends and estimates from available sources, reflecting typical pay for factory workers in these locations.
Note that wages can vary depending on factors like industry, experience, and specific employers.
Since exact city-by-city data for 2025 isn’t universally available in a single table from one source, I’ve compiled this based on broader trends and specific city highlights where available.
| City | State | Average Hourly Wage (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | Washington | $18.50 – $20.00 |
| Portland | Oregon | $17.50 – $19.00 |
| Hartford | Connecticut | $17.00 – $18.50 |
| San Jose | California | $19.00 – $21.00 |
| Los Angeles | California | $17.50 – $19.00 |
| Sunnyvale | California | $18.50 – $20.50 |
| New Lisbon | Wisconsin | $16.50 – $18.00 |
| Casa Grande | Arizona | $16.00 – $17.50 |
| Findlay | Ohio | $16.50 – $18.00 |
| Chicago | Illinois | $16.00 – $17.50 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | $15.50 – $17.00 |
| Louisville | Kentucky | $15.00 – $16.50 |
| Cleveland | Ohio | $15.50 – $17.00 |
| Houston | Texas | $14.50 – $16.00 |
| Miami | Florida | $14.00 – $15.50 |
| Atlanta | Georgia | $14.50 – $16.00 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | $14.00 – $15.50 |
| Detroit | Michigan | $15.50 – $17.00 |
| New York | New York | $16.50 – $18.00 |
| Grand Rapids | Michigan | $15.00 – $16.50 |
How Much Factory Workers Make in different countries
Below is a table showing the average hourly wages for factory workers in various countries as of February 24, 2025.
| Country | Average Hourly Wage (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $16.50 – $18.00 | National average around $16.86 |
| Germany | $18.00 – $20.00 | Reflects strong manufacturing sector |
| Japan | $15.00 – $17.00 | Based on ¥3,500,000/year average |
| China | $4.00 – $6.00 | Varies by region, e.g., coastal vs. inland |
| India | $1.00 – $2.00 | Low labor cost, varies by industry |
| South Korea | $17.00 – $19.00 | Competitive in tech manufacturing |
| Mexico | $4.00 – $5.50 | Higher in automotive sector |
| France | $11.00 – $13.00 | Minimum wage influence (~€11.65) |
| Belgium | $13.00 – $15.00 | High labor costs, ~€25,000/year |
| Sweden | $12.00 – $14.00 | SEK 130/hour average |
| United Kingdom | $12.00 – $14.00 | National Living Wage ~£11.44 |
| Australia | $15.00 – $17.00 | Minimum wage AUD 24.10/hour |
| Canada | $14.00 – $16.00 | Varies by province |
| Brazil | $3.00 – $4.50 | Lower in emerging markets |
| Vietnam | $1.50 – $2.50 | Growing manufacturing hub |
| Turkey | $2.00 – $3.00 | ~40,000 TRY/year average |
| Bangladesh | $0.50 – $1.00 | Low wage, ~200,000 BDT/year |
| Netherlands | $13.00 – $15.00 | High living costs, skilled labor |
Comparison with Garment Workers
Specifically, garment workers, who are a category within factory workers, have their own obstacles to overcome. Usually, they get lower wages than workers in other type of manufacturing jobs.
Garment workers in countries such as Ethiopia make as low as USD $26 per month, but in Belgium, they can earn as much as USD $1,764 monthly. This contrast brings attention to the international problem of paying a living wage.
Here is a snapshot comparison of factory worker pay in Poland, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea:
How Much Do Factory Workers Get Paid in Poland?
The gross minimum wage for a factory worker in Poland will amount to PLN 4,666 per month as of January 1, 2025, equivalent to approximately PLN 3,510.92 net per month.
The situation is different, however, in the manufacturing sector, where average wages are above average, increasing to PLN 8,098.43 gross per month in December 2024. PLN 57,170 per year, or about PLN 27 an hour the average salary for a factory worker in Poland.
How Much Do Factory Workers Earn in Japan?
Japan factory worker salaries depend on industry and experience. Entry-level factory workers usually make about ¥200,000 to ¥250,000 a month (USD $1,500 to $1,900).
Seasoned workers make much more, usually ¥300,000 – ¥500,000 per month (around USD $2,250 to $3,750). These wages are due to Japan’s healthy economy and an expensive cost of living
How Much Do Factory Workers Earn in Taiwan?
In Taiwan, factory workers typically earn between TWD 25,000 to TWD 40,000 per month (approximately USD $800 to $1,300). Skilled workers or those in specialized industries may earn higher wages, up to TWD 60,000 per month (approximately USD $2,000).
Taiwan’s manufacturing sector is known for its electronics and technology production, which can influence wages based on the specific industry.
How Much Do Factory Workers Earn in Korea?
Indeed, wages for factory workers in South Korea still exceed most other Asian nations. Monthly salaries for entry-level workers are between KRW 2.5 million to KRW 3.5 million (USD $2,000 to $2,800).
Those with experience or working in high-tech industries can expect much more, from KRW 4 million to KRW 6 million per month (USD $3,200 to $4,800). However, South Korea has a strong economy and a high standard of living, which results in such wages.
Conclusion
Factory workers are paid diversified around the world and is definitely based on the eco-nomic factors, industry, location, and labor law. And though workers in other nations may be paid more, many still earn below the means of a respectable lifestyle.
Bridging these differences necessitates a financial mindset paired with consideration of welfare situations. Recognizing these factors and how they contribute to what workers are being paid can help us establish better working conditions for factory workers everywhere in the world.
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